1965 Oldsmobile 442 from our Spring Car Care Guide

Our second spring car care guide features a 1965 Oldsmobile 442 on the cover. One of our local customers, Michael Branton, owns this clean 442. Michael owns a nice collection of muscle cars and we have been trying to shoot one of them for a California Car Cover catalog cover for a long time. Glad we were finally able to set aside some time to shoot this 442.

We asked Michael a few questions about his Oldsmobile and his love of muscle cars.

CCC: How did you acquire this Olds 442?

MB: I acquired the 65 Olds 442 about 4 years ago in early 2013 from a gentlemen in Canyon Lake, CA.  I met him at the Temecula Rod Run car show and we became friends over the years.  When he put the car up for sale, we negotiated the deal and I purchased the car.

CCC: What type of condition was it in compared to today?

MB: The 65 Olds 442 was in great shape, extremely straight, clean and all there.  I had it repainted in its original Target Red color in 2015.  Although its not all stock it is all Oldsmobile.  It has a 1970 455 W30 engine with the big cam, 200R4 automatic overdrive trans, 3.55 gears with working A/C.  It rides down the highway effortlessly.  Out of all the GM A-Bodies, I think the Olds has the best ride.

The 1965 Oldsmobile is finished in the factory color Target Red. Under the hood is a 1970 Olds 455 W30 engine topped with a Quick Fuel carburetor. The 442 also has a 200R transmission and Golden West suspension upgrades.

CCC: What other vehicles are in your collection?

MB: I have a ’65 Mustang Fastback A-code car with a 289 and 4 speed, a ’66 Chevelle 300 Deluxe post car with a 427 engine and 4 speed, a ’68 Chevelle SS396 real deal 138 car, the first muscle car I ever purchased which is a ’67 Olds 442 with 455 and TH400, a ’66 Pontiac GTO 389 Tri-Power, 4 speed, factory AC car, ’64 Pontiac GTO 389 Tri-Power, 4 speed car and my last acquisition which was a ’63 Tempest Convertible 326, 3 speed and independent rear.  I recently sold a ’67 Camaro RS/SS.

CCC: Any new projects in the works or a car you are looking for?

MB: My 1965 Ford Mustang fastback, I have the engine and trans out of the car for rebuild.  Trying to decide should I go resto mod or rebuild to stock.  Also looking for a Buick GS, then I will have at least one example of all the GM A-body cars.

CCC: What would be the dream car to add to your garage?

MB: 66 Olds 442 W30, in ’66 the factory only made 54 W30 cars all in June of 1966.

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1965 Iso Bizzarrini Le Mans Winner from our Holiday Catalog

This might be the only Iso Bizzarrini that we have ever seen. This rare race car won its class at Le Mans in 1965 and finished in the Top 10 overall. The car was built by Giotto Bizzarrini, who was the head Ferrari race engineer at the time. He left during the Palace Revolt and decided to campaign his own creation.

The car is owned by Bruce Meyer, a long time friend and customer of California Car Cover. We were thrilled to view his private collection and honored that we were able to feature it on the cover of our holiday catalog cover. 

The vehicle definitely has the look and feel of a Ferrari, but it actually was powered by a 327 Corvette engine. With over 400 hp, the Bizzarrini reached a top speed of 188 mph at Le Mans. This "works entry" also featured a front-mid engine design, lightweight tube frame and inboard rear disc brakes. 

The 1965 Iso Bizzarrini was driven at Le Mans, the Nurburgring, Reims and the Austrian GP. Thank you to Bruce for provided some great historic photos of the Iso on the racetrack.

Thank you to Bruce for letting us some time in the garage. We hope everyone enjoys the unique selection for this year's Santa's Workshop as much as we do.

1965 Chevy Impala from the November 2012 California Car Cover

For those of you who have recently received your November California Car Cover catalog you will recognize this 1965 Chevy Impala from the front cover. The vehicle belongs to local customer Bobby Jackson of Ventura, Ca. California Car Cover and I were thankful that Bobby was able to drive his Impala over to our photo shoot.

Bobby started with a stock 1965 Chevy Impala back in 2005 and it took him a few years to complete the full restoration. The Chevy features Ferrari Red paint and custom leather interior by Superior Upholstery. Brandon Echols did the paint and bodywork. The Impala features numerous upgrades to the brakes, wheels and suspension.

 Under the hood is a 383 stroker engine backed by a 350 transmission.

 Below is the California Car Cover November catalog cover. Bobby wanted to give a special thanks to his wife Alisa and his friend Alan Palmer for all the help on the project. We hope that you enjoy all the photos.

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